Energy absorption systems for vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle includes an energy absorber that is positionable rearward of a passenger seat to absorb energy from a force having a forward component and being directed toward the rear surface of the passenger seat. In one exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber is a cellular material. In another exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable cushion. A corresponding seat assembly is also provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; 
 a first seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body, said first seat assembly including a first seatback portion having a frame; 
 a second seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body rearward of the first seat assembly; 
 an energy absorber mounted with respect to the first seatback portion and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable restraint cushion mounted with respect to the vehicle body; 
 wherein the cushion is selectively inflatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration; 
 wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration is between the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the vehicle includes a third seat assembly forward of the second seat assembly and laterally positioned with respect to the first seat assembly; 
 wherein the third seat assembly includes a second seatback portion; and 
 wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration extends laterally such that a first portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the first seatback portion and a second portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the second seatback portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mounted with respect to the first seatback portion and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the first seatback portion includes a cover; and wherein the second energy absorber is between the cover and the frame; 
 wherein the second energy absorber is material configured to absorb energy from an impact; and 
 wherein the material is plastically deformable against the frame. 
 
     
     
       3. The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the material is a cellular material. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the material is polymeric foam. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the material at least partially defines protuberances on the rearward side of the first seatback portion. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inflator operative to selectively inflate the cushion; and 
 a sensor configured to detect the presence of an occupant in the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the sensor is operatively connected to the inflator such that the inflator only inflates the cushion if the sensor detects the presence of an occupant in the second seat assembly and wherein the inflator is a cold gas inflator. 
 
     
     
       7. A vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; 
 a first seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body, said first seat assembly including a first seatback portion having a frame; 
 a second seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body rearward of the first seat assembly; 
 an energy absorber mounted with respect to the vehicle body and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable restraint cushion mounted with respect to the vehicle body, wherein the cushion is selectively inflatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, and wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration is between the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the vehicle includes a third seat assembly forward of the second seat assembly and laterally positioned with respect to the first seat assembly, wherein the third seat assembly includes a second seatback portion, and wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration extends laterally such that a first portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the first seatback portion and a second portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the second seatback portion; 
 wherein the first seat assembly and the third seat assembly are spaced a distance apart from one another; 
 wherein the vehicle further includes a console between the first seat assembly and the third seat assembly; 
 wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration includes a third portion between the first and second portions; and 
 wherein the third portion of the cushion is characterized by a greater height dimension than the first and second portions when the cushion is in the deployed configuration. 
 
     
     
       8. The vehicle of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an inflator operative to selectively inflate the cushion; and 
 a sensor configured to detect the presence of an occupant in the second seat assembly; 
 wherein the sensor is operatively connected to the inflator such that the inflator only inflates the cushion if the sensor detects the presence of an occupant in the second seat assembly and wherein the inflator is a cold gas inflator.